Contact:  Charla Jackson Peter

 (502) 564-7630, ext. 454

New this year was the Homeless Leadership Award, which was presented to several recipients who have been instrumental in the development of the Kentucky Interagency Council on Homelessness, which has become the lead organization to end homelessness in the state.  Recipients of the Homeless Leadership Award were Tom Beatty, Kentucky Department of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Addiction Services; David Christiansen, Central Kentucky Housing and Homeless Initiative; Heath Dolen, Kentucky Department of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Addiction Services; Jason Dunn, Kentucky Department of Community-Based Services; Marlene Gordon, Coalition for the Homeless; Pat McKiernan, Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs; Mary O’Doherty, Kentucky Domestic Violence Association; Gerry Roll, Community Foundation of Hazard-Perry County; and Jennifer Weeber, Hazard-Perry County Community Ministries.  The Homeless Leadership Award will be presented annually in the future.

The recipient of the 2009 For-Profit Affordable Housing Builder was Marian Development Group, which has developed 676 affordable housing units since it began partnering with KHC in 2002.  Its commitment to providing affordable housing is evidenced by the projects it chooses, such as Louisville Scholar House and Recovery Kentucky centers

Receiving the 2009 Homeownership Award was Brigitte Riney, who has been working with KHC’s Homeownership Department for nearly 25 years.  She has consistently been a top producer for KHC and Rural Housing Services.  Through these programs, she says she has been able to help many people purchase homes who may have not been able to do so otherwise.

The Mae Street Kidd Award is presented to individuals in public service who have made great strides in promoting affordable housing to the people they serve.  This year’s recipient was Austin Simms.  During his 32 years as executive director of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Housing Authority, the agency has received two HOPE VI projects from HUD totaling $39 million for the revitalization of two of this city’s oldest public housing sites.  The first HOPE VI award was for the $19.3 million revitalization of the Charlotte Court public housing site.  The other is a $20 million revitalization project for the Bluegrass-Aspendale area, which, when completed, will be the city’s largest public housing development, as well as the oldest.  At present, this project is working toward the completion of 176 rental units and will soon start the $12 million 102-unit homeownership phase of construction.

Carol Mount Peterson, with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati received  the Dorothy J. Williams Lifetime Achievement Award for her commitment to the advancement of affordable housing in Kentucky.  She has spent much of her career championing special needs populations.  Her stewardship of the Affordable Housing Program and her personal drive to direct the efforts of this program to meet the affordable housing needs of families and individuals are visible throughout the Commonwealth. 

Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati was recognized for their Affordable Housing Program, which was created by Congress as a set-aside of annual earnings that each of the 12 Federal Home Loan Banks uses to create affordable housing.  The program is in its 20^th year.

Also recognized was Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing for its contributions as a partnering agency in the conference. 

“These awards honor service and a commitment to provide affordable housing for Kentuckians,” said KHC’s CEO Richard L. McQuady.  “Our deepest appreciation goes out to all of the past and present award winners and to all of our partners who work every day to provide safe, quality, affordable housing in Kentucky.”